“Summer and Smoke” reviewed by Frank Meccia

[rating=5]One of my favorite parts of reviewing live theatre is going to a brand-new theatre company. To feel the energy of a new company, a new director and new ideas. Well, a new member to Chicago is the “Violet Sky” they use the same theatre as Invictus Theatre company, a small store front black box theatre, that holds about 35 people comfortable, with a small stage.

Tennessee Williams is one of the top 5 playwrights and authors of the 20th century. With such plays as “The Glass Menagerie” , “A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”, and “A Streetcar Named Desire”, and many more. You can see similarity in all his plays. Strong independent appearing woman, men who suffer from dipsomania or crapulence, (this should keep the editors busy looking it up), and a southern setting, all earmarks for Williams. This is probably because Williams suffered from Diphtheria as a young adult and was kept in confinement, and his sister who suffered from Schizophrenia and had a lobotomy probably pushed him to his other addiction of barbiturates, which in time caused his death.

“Summer and Smoke” is about a high strong, independent daughter of a minister, who suffers from anxiety, and insomnia, and covers it up by acting proper and using proper English and acting as a mother to everybody she knows. Lindsey Zanatta played the role of Alma Winemiller perfectly, I really believed she was Alma,.Her mannerism and her composure were flawless. Joshua Volkers plays John Buchanan Jr. MD, and he was another perfect cast member, with his brooding good looks, his macho but caring attitude, you can see why he suffers from satyriasis. To be perfectly honest ,every single cast member played their role flawless . Debra Rodkin played the role of a Mother Mrs. Winemiller who lost her marbles to perfection.

The staging and scenic design for this production in such a small space, was dramatic and perfect. Everything about it I loved. I kept looking for a flaw, but could not find it, even the way he held the stethoscope was the way most doctors do. So, I have to say thanks to the Director Eden Blattner. William Dole, and Kevin Rolfs, you have a new theatre company that is going to make a big name for itself in the coming years. And one last person I have to say you did a great job to is August Rain Stamper the Dialect Coach, the southern tones were perfect without sounding like a politician in a Baptist church.

Summer and Smoke is playing till July 31st. Please don’t miss this, tickets are available at www.violetskytheatre.com , and are $27.00 at the door.

The theatre is located in the Edgewater area of Chicago at 1106 W. Thorndale, ample parking on Broadway. You can also take the redline to its door just get off at Thorndale stop and walk 20 feet. The play is 2 hours and ten minutes with a 10 minute intermission.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and cliak at “Summer and Smoke”..